Even when biosecurity is at its best, livestock are never guaranteed a clean bill of health. It is beneficial for livestock handlers to have a basic understanding of disease symptoms. Different symptoms call for different actions. With a host of diseases that are contagious from animal to animal and/or animal to human, the proper response can be critical.

It is not necessary for livestock handlers to memorize detailed information about every disease in the book. However, being aware of a few key symptoms can dramatically lessen the impact of infectious diseases.

With this in mind, we are going to talk about three symptoms that are indicative of trouble. The first is blisters, the second is neurological disorders, and can anyone guess the third? (Sudden death.) We may be tempted to say that death really isn’t a symptom, but instead an end result. Nonetheless, it is the ultimate sign of trouble, and the diagnosis of its cause may prevent this “symptom” in the rest of your herd. So for today, we’ll treat it as a symptom.

Blisters signify vesicular disease. (click) A vesicle is a small sac or cyst, generally containing fluid – a blister, as the symptom suggests. In animals with vesicular diseases, the blisters are commonly found around the muzzle or on the tongue. In horses, blisters may also appear on the coronary band at the upper border of the wall of the hoof. The vesicular group contains many diseases. Can anyone name a vesicular disease that we have heard a lot about in recent years?

(click - Foot and Mouth Disease) Other very serious vesicular diseases include (click) Swine Vesicular Disease, (click) Hog Cholera and (click) African Swine Fever. Swine, however, are not the only species to watch for blisters. (click) Vesicular Stomatitis is a disease of cattle and horses. (click) African Horse Sickness is yet another vesicular disease.

While blisters signify vesicular diseases and should be distinctly remembered as a sign of the previously mentioned diseases, they also can be signs of other problems. For example, (click) BVD causes blister-like lesions in cattle, and (click) blister beetles in alfalfa also give livestock blisters, hence the name.

So, livestock on your operation have blisters. It probably is blister beetle you think, but what if it’s not? Dr. Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension state veterinarian, instructs livestock handlers not to fool around; just call the State Vet’s Office. After all, it’s better safe than sorry. Vesicular diseases are known to be extremely contagious and sometimes deadly. Economic impacts can be huge. Just think of the devastation caused in Europe by Foot and Mouth!

The second symptom to remember is again, neurological disorders. Neurological disorders are generally indicative of inflammation of the brain, which is known as Encephalitis. Producers should watch livestock for (click) staggering, (click) personality changes, (click) disorientation and (click) vocalization (distressed sounds).

There are many diseases that cause inflammation of the brain. Horses are the target of (click) Eastern, Western and Venezuelan Encephalitis. Horses affected by these diseases, if they survive, usually never totally recover and with Venezuelan Encephalitis, can serve as an incubator. This means that a mosquito could bite an infected horse and carry the disease to a another horse, bird or worse yet, a human. In humans, fatality or permanent brain damage are possible. (click) Since West Nile is endemic to North Dakota, vaccination is highly recommended for preventing loss and further transmission of the disease. Most affected horses do recover. Those who do not and people who do not can suffer similar problems as those affected with Eastern, Western and Venezuelan Encephalitis. And finally, rabies. Any mammal can become infected with rabies, and the result without immediate treatment is death. Clearly, neurological disorders cannot be taken lightly. Again, any suspicions should be reported to the State Vet’s Office.

The third symptom that I want to discuss is sudden death. From time to time, producers find an animal dead with little or no warning. Often, the animal is disposed of and the cause of death never revealed. At least one disease that causes sudden death is worth further investigation. Does anyone know what the disease is? (Anthrax)

Anthrax results from infection by Bacillus anthracis. In animals, transmission is usually by ingestion. Herbivores become infected when they ingest spores on plants in pastures. Outbreaks are often associated with heavy rainfall, flood or drought. Contaminated bone meal and other feed can also spread the disease. Carnivores usually become affected after eating contaminated meat. Sheep, cattle and horses are particularly susceptible to Anthrax. The disease has also been seen in pigs, mink, cats and dogs fed contaminated meat.

Sudden death may be the only indicator of Anthrax in ruminants, or a host of symptoms may appear for a short period of time. (Refer to second bullet.)

Horses with Anthrax may live up to a week. Common symptoms include fever, chills, anorexia, depression and severe colic with bloody diarrhea. Again, swellings may also be a sign.

With pigs, sudden death may also be the only sign of Anthrax. Other times, pigs may show a variety of symptoms as do some ruminants and most horses. (Refer to bullets 2,3,4)

Dogs, cats and wild carnivores show Anthrax symptoms similar to pigs.

While I can’t expect you to remember all of the symptoms that could mean Anthrax in each species, I do think it is helpful to look back at the days prior to finding an animal dead, and to try to remember any of the signs I have mentioned. Maybe none were seen, but if signs were shown, they could help in the process of elimination. Other problems that could lead to sudden death include acute bloat, Blackleg, Black Disease, Malignant Edema, toxins, or a lightening strike. While you may think Anthrax would be the last possibility on your operation, you may want to reconsider.

Anthrax is common in North Dakota and more common in certain areas than others as you can see on the map. In Grand Forks County alone, there were 12 reported cases of Anthrax in 2000. All the way on the other side of the state in southwestern North Dakota, cases are also frequently reported.

Dr. Stoltenow says that Anthrax should be considered even on non-historical anthrax premises. (click) Down animals should be considered suspect and not slaughtered for human consumption unless cause of illness can be clearly identified and does not pose a public health hazard. (ex. a leg fracture)

Humans can get anthrax and not just from spores sent by terrorists. Cutaneous anthrax develops after skin infections, usually from handling hides, hair, wool and bone products. A depressed black scab is characteristic of this form. The intestinal form is rare, but is caused by eating contaminated meat. Pulmonary anthrax occurs from inhaling spores in contaminated dust. Depending on the form, anthrax varies in seriousness. Yet, I wouldn’t mess with any Anthrax; cutaneous is the least intrusive, and just look at what it does.

Don’t take the risk! Call the State Vets Office. Animals with Anthrax must be disposed of carefully.

If I was to tell you there is one reoccurring theme throughout this whole presentation, what would you say it is? (Call the State Vet’s Office) (click) The State Veterinarian and assistants are trained to diagnose and control the spread of infectious diseases. (click) Dr. Susan Keller is the State Vet. Write her number next to the telephone. A quick, proper response can make all the difference in the world.

Although we only touched on a sample of the diseases that are out there, I hope that you will walk away with an increased awareness of animal disease. Please, don’t overrule the possibility of any disease. Just look at West Nile, it’s not foreign anymore. Awareness is the key is to preventing the spread of such diseases. Recognizing symptoms, rather than memorizing diseases may be the easiest way to detect mole hills before they become mountains. Good luck and remember, you don’t have to fight the fight alone. Extension agents, veterinarians and public health officials are eager to help! If you suspect a problem, call Dr. Keller!

Transcript of "PowerPoint Presentation"

1.
Awareness in Agriculture Recognizing and Responding to Infectious Diseases

2.
The Goal <ul><li>Responding to symptoms, not </li></ul><ul><li>memorizing diseases. </li></ul>

12.
Anthrax Acts In Different Ways <ul><li>Ruminants </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Sudden death often the only sign </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>If other symptoms do occur, you might see: </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>fever and excitement </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>depression, stupor, disorientation, muscle tremors, dyspnea, abortion, congested mucous membranes </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>bloody discharges from the nose, mouth and anus </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>You might also see widespread swellings </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>In other cases, you may see staggering, trembling and dyspnea, followed by rapid collapse, terminal convulsions and death </li></ul></ul>

14.
Pigs with Anthrax <ul><li>Sudden death may be the only symptom </li></ul><ul><li>Many pigs have mild chronic infections characterized by swelling, fever and enlarged lymph nodes </li></ul><ul><ul><li>These pigs generally recover </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Some pigs develop progressive swelling of the throat, with dyspnea and difficulty swallowing </li></ul><ul><ul><li>These animals may suffocate </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Intestinal involvement, with anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, is less common </li></ul>

18.
Don’t Rule Out Anthrax <ul><li>Non-historical anthrax premises should not be excluded </li></ul><ul><li>Down animals should not be slaughtered for human consumption unless the cause of illness can be clearly identified </li></ul>